Apparatus for conveying packages



June 24, 1952 B. EATON 2,501,376

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PACKAGES Filed May 22, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Lew/' Z 5473: Y

H TTOR/VEP June 24, 1952 B. EATON ,6

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PACKAGES Filed May 22, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 rT-n1 /o .oooeoo z o INVENTOR.

Y Zena/'5 E57? J'M W A TTOR/VEV June 24, 1952 B. EATON 2,601,376

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PACKAGES Filed May 22, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 176 j j r 170 IN V EN TOR.

1 e411: 3. Ed??? BY (74 M QL-wmw TTOR/VEV June 24, 1952 1.. B. EATON APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PACKAGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 22, 1947 Fig.9

INVENTOR. ZQUI S Patented June 24, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE matic Scale Corporation,

Limited, Quincy,

Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 22, 1947, Serial No. 749,710

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for conveying individual packages, preferably infusion bags of the envelope or pillow type.

The invention has for an object to provide novel and improved apparatus for conveying packages of the character specified in which novel provision is made for accumulating and stacking the same in spaced groups as they are produced, and preferably on edge and in groups of predetermined numbers, whereby successive groups may be conveniently withdrawn from the apparatus to be packed into the containers in which they are sold.

With this general object in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the apparatus for conveying bags, in the novel accumulating and stacking apparatus, and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus for conveying bags embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a continuation of the upper portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the receiving end of the accumulating and stacking apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating the bag transferring mechanism; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line .& of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the delivery end of the accumulating and stacking apparatus; Fig. 6 is a detail view in side elevation of the intermittent driving mechanism indicated generally in Fig. 1; Fig. '7 is a plan view detail of the mechanism shown at the right hand side of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is of front elevation of the driving mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the same taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In general, the present invention contemplates apparatus for automatically conveying bags, and preferably infusion bags of the envelope or pillow type and in which novel provision is made for receiving the individual bags as they are produced and for segregating or accumulating the same to provide spaced groups of bags preferably of equal number and preferably stacked edgewise for the convenience of the packer to permit the latter to conveniently withdraw successive groups as they are delivered from the apparatus and insert them into the containers in which they are to be shipped and marketed.

The present segregating or accumulating mechanism is herein shown as embodied in a tea bagging machine of the type illustrated and described in the United States Patent No. 2,385,229 issued to William S. Patterson, September 18, 1945 in which provision is made for folding an elongated web longitudinally and sealing the same transversely and along the infolded longitudinal edge to form a bag section, and then filling the bag section through the open top. Thereupon, in the operation of the machine, the strip is intermittently advanced one bag length and a succeeding and similar sealing operation closes the top of the filled bag section and forms a succeeding connected bag section. The bags thus formed are advanced to bag severing mechanism which operates to sever the strip through successive transverse sealed portions to form individual sealed bags.

In accordance with the present invention successive bags thus severed from the strip are arranged to be transferred into the present segregating apparatus which operates to stack successive bags preferably on edge in spaced groups of predetermined and preferably equal number and to deliver them from the machine. The segregating apparatus is illustrated herein as embodied in a duplex type of bag forming machine having provision for forming two strips of connected bag sections simultaneously, and, the present apparatus is likewise arranged in duplex form to receive each of the two sets of bags transferred from said strips during the operation of the apparatus. Furthermore, the illustrated segregating or accumulating apparatus is arranged to be driven from and operated in timed relation to the bag forming apparatus, thus providing a unitary bag forming and segregating machine for counting and stacking the individual bags in groups of predetermined and preferably equal number and for delivering them from the machine.

Referring now to the drawings, the present segregating apparatus, indicated generally at I0, is herein illustrated as embodied in a bag making machine indicated generally at [2 in which provision is made for forming a series of connected filled and sealed bag sections [4 in strip form. In general, the bag forming and filling machine is provided with web withdrawing mechanism, indicated generally at It, arranged to withdraw a predetermined length or Web of bag forming material I8 from a supply roll 28 thereof. The bag forming material preferably comprises a porous fibrous material containing a thermoplastic, pressure responsive, binding material so that when two layers or plies of the material are brought together and subjected to the application of heat and pressure, they will become and remain adhesively united. The web of bag forming material [2 is advanced past bag forming mechanism, indicated generally at 22, which operates to fold the web longitudinally along a medial line to'bring together the two half sections of the web preparatory to forming a strip of connected bags. The bag forming material is drawn over the bag forming mechanism 22 by gripping and advancing mechanism indicated generally at 2% operative to advance the strip one bag length each cycle of operation of the ma,- chine and to present the strip in operative relation to bag sealing mechanism 25 arranged to simultaneously seal the strip along a transverse and an adjacent longitudinal zone during each sealing operation to form a succession of cone nected bag sections, closed on one side by the folded edge, and heat sealed alone th o osite ed e, and alo e pa ed t an verse po t ns- Upo se l alo sectio -al an e s n l n itudi al 29 as a ve es ed m9- vision is made for introducing a predetermined amount of the commodity such as tea, through the op n e of the eb. and betwee th 9 i o a p ial y o m d has seet nhe a fill- 1 m c ism ndicate ene eny a thi orerative to depos t uc ess v char s th mmodity i to s c ive o ection in t m an o he'operat n of t e strip adva an t s l mechan sms and n t op at on of the ma ine t e ope too of a ba which n t en P id w th a eh r f h mmodit during e e ele o ee re ien i losed durin a succeeding cycle The eat s ali and be filling mechanisms are preferably timed to opere a d sea he rot en; and e the bee immediately prior to the operation of filling the bag. Thereupon, the strip intermittently advanced. o ee ev r n mee i nism e e n PQ I as comprising shears indicated generally at '33 which operate to sever the strip through successive transverse sealed portions to form individual filled and sealed bags. For a further and more detailed description of the construction and mode of operation of the bag making apparatus reference is-made to the. United States Patent No. 2,385,229 to William S. Patterson, September 19, 1945.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, successive individual filled and sealed bags thus severed from the two strips produced'by the due plex bag making machine are arranged-to be transferred directly into the duplicate accumu lating mechanisms ll; each of which herein shown comprises an intermittently operated COD: y f h in a eerrier la .2 prov ded w th a l re r o e eeed ou of. ock ts t formed by spaced pusher plates 36 attached to andfmov able with the carrier chain. As herein shown, the carrier chain 3? is arranged to run over a driving sprocket 33 disposed at the delivery end of the e eiu en e ui ev rzr eke 1 an driven sprocket 42 disposed at the receiving end of the apparatus.

In the operation of the machine, successive bags l4, are transferred into successive pockets 34 of each carrier chain 32 at the receiving end of the apparatus by reciprocatory transfer plates 44 carried by and movable with a bracket 45 ad justably attached to a slide member 43. The Slide member mo nted t li e e wee guides 59 secured to a bracket, 52: attached to the machine frame, and, the duplex transfer mechanism is arranged to be reciprocated in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the carrier chains by a cam 54 fast on a vertical cam shaft 58 of the bag making machine. A cooperating cam lever 58 pivotally mounted at 6%] in the extended bracket 52 is provided with a roller 62 arranged to travel in the cam path 64 of the cam, and, the lever 58 is operatively connected to the slide member 48 by a swivel block connection 65 carried by the slide and a cooperating yoke shaped extension .58 from the lever arranged to slidingly embrace the swivel block, as clearly shown in Fig; ,3;

As herein shown, the vertical cam shaft 53, forming a part of the bag forming machine, is

arranged to be driven from a motor 10 connecter by a' belt 12 to a pulley 14 forming a part of a clutch mechanism, indicated generally at #5, and arranged to be engaged to drive a pinion it ses e agemen of the e u i T pinien is arranged to drive a horizontal camshaft 88 of thebag forming machine through a gear train 8 M, 86, the latter being fast onthe cam shaft 80, and, the vertical cam shaft 56 is connected to the shaft by cooperating bevel gears 35, 90, as shown in FigL 1.

' From the description thus far it will be observed that in the operation of the apparatus, successive bag sections [4 as they are severed from the strips are engaged by the'reciprocatory transfer plates 44 and deposited into successive pockets 3! of the intermittently movable carrier chains 33. As best shown in Fig. 4, upon severance of an endmost bag section M from a strip, the bag is permitted to fall a short distance in. an upright position onto spaced elevated blocks 92 and directly in front of a transfer plate 44, the bag being supported laterally along its vertical edges by extended portions 94, $6 of the conveyer guide rails 98, Hill. Thereupon, the bag section [4 is immediately pushed forward by the reciprocatory plate 44 to drop off the forward edge of the elevated blocks 92 into an adjacent pocket 34, with the bag still maintained in an upright position and the lower edge of the ba resting on spaced elongated stationary rails Hi2, 1M defining the bottomof the pockets 34 and along which the bags are advanced during the intermittent movement of the carrier chain.

In the operation of the apparatus the bag is transferred into a pocket. 34 during the idle period of the intermittently operated carrier chain, and, i oe lsei 3 in o whieh h has s d p sit d is ma n ained pfiaiq a art Open position during the, transfer operation by the radial extension of the t gailingpusher plate 36 in passing ar nd P 1? e eeket 1 Q dQ iemeiniain the b t; en. l lfi hl os t on dur n h r n lei? Iver-amen a cro s r d 0 ay be provided which is extended from the guide rail 94 and disposed in a position to engage the upper edge of the bag as it is pushed forward to prevent the bag from tipping, the. lower edge of the bag being engaged by the upper end of the adjacent pusher plate 36 whereupon the bag will drop in a vertical position to rest on the stationary rails I02, I95 and in back. of the adjacent, pusher plate forming the front wall of the pocket. Immediately thereafter the intermittently operated conveyer is moved a distance of one pocket space at which time the trailing pusher plate 36, (forming the rear wall of the pocket, is moved up into a vertical position to support. the back of the bag and to present. a, succeeding open pocket into operative position to receive the succeeding bag section. In the continued operation of the machine, successive pockets are intermittently advanced along the stationary rails and supported in a vertical or upright position by the pusher plates 36, the bags being laterally supported by the guide rails 98, I00 of the conveyer. As herein shown, the conveyer is supported at its inner end by a bracket I08 attached to the machine frame and at its outer endv by a floor stand IIO provided with a bracket I I2. The upper run of the carrier chain 32 is supported by an elongated tie rail I I4 attached to and extending between the brackets I08, H2. The spaced rails I02, I04 on which the bags rest and between which the pusher plates are extended are supported from the tie rail I I4 by spacing members I I6 arranged to dispose the rails I02, I04 in an elevated position, as best shown in Fig. 5, and, the guide rails 98, I00, herein shown as comprising angle bars, are adjustably supported on top of the rails I02. I04 as illustrated.

As above described, the accumulating conveyer I0 is intermittently operated in timed relation to the severance and transfer of successive bag sections thereto and in the operation of the apparatus, the carrier chain 32 is arranged to be advanced a distance of one pocket space each cycle of operation for a predetermined number of cycles, herein shown as eight, and when the last pocket 34 of a group is provided with a bag section, the carrier chain is arranged to be moved a relatively greater distance corresponding to the distance between successive groups, the latter movement being made in the same time cycle as a single pocket space movement so that the succeeding bag transferred to the conveyer will be received in the first pocket of the succeeding group of pockets.

The above described operation of the accumulating conveyer is herein shown as being effected through intermittent driving mechanism operatively connected to the bag making machine and which includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism, indicated generally at I20, connected by a chain and sprocket drive I22 to an intermediate shaft I24 journaled in the bracket H2 and provided with a gear I26 arranged to mesh with a pinion I 28 fast on the shaft I30 also journaled in the bracket I I2 and on which the conveyor driving sprockets 38 are mounted. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the pawl and ratchet mechanism I20 includes a ratchet I32 which may be formed integrally with the sprocket I34 of the chain and sprocket drive and which is rotatably mounted on a short shaft I36 fixed in a supporting bracket I38 attached to the machine frame. The supporting bracket I38 is also connected by tie pieces I40 to the floor stand bracket II2, as illustrated. A cooperating pawl I42 is pivotally carried by a pawl carrier I44 rockingly mounted on the shaft I36, and, the pawl carrier is arranged to be rocked to eifect engagement of the pawl and rotation of the ratchet by a cam operated lever I46 forming a part of the driving mechanism indicated generally at I48, as shown in Fig. 1, the lever I 46 being connected to the pawl and ratchet mechanism by a rod I50 swivelly connected to an extended arm I52 of the pivotally mounted pawl I42.

In the operation of the device, when the rod I 50 is elevated, the pawl I42 is first rocked on its pivot I43 out of engagement with the ratchet I32 whereupon the extended arm I52 is arranged to engage a stop screw I54 adjustably carried by wardly by a spring I 9I.

the pawl carrier I44 to effect upward rocking of the latter on the shaft I36. Likewise, upon initial downward movement of the rod I50, the pawl I42 is first rocked into engagement with the ratchet I32, and, upon continued downward movement the ratchet is rotated a predetermined distance to effect movement of the carrier chain.

In order to permit relative rotary movement between the pawl carrier I44 and the integral sprocket and ratchet unit I32, I34 during the upward or return stroke and also to prevent overthrow during the downward or operating stroke of the rod I50, the sprocket and ratchet unit is provided with fibre friction discs I56 on both sides thereof which tend to maintain the unit in the position to which it is moved until positively engaged by the pawl I42 during a succeeding cycle of operation. As herein shown, a spring pressed pressure disc I 58 carried by the pawl carrier hub may also be provided to permit the pressure against the friction discs to be varied. The pressure disc I58 is provided with a pin I60 extended into a bore in the pawl carrier hub and a spring I62 is interposed between the pin I60 and an adjusting screw I64 provided in the other end of the bore, as clearly shown in Fig. '7.

Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for preventing overthrow of the carrier chain driving sprockets 38 during intermittent rotation thereof, and, for this purpose a friction brake may be provided which, as herein shown, comprises a pair of opposed, leather faced brake shoes I66 arranged to embrace a drum I68 fixed to the shaft I30, the extended portions of the brake shoes being received in a grooved roller I10 mounted on the intermediate shaft I24. The brake shoes I66 are adjustably maintained in operative position by a brake rod I12 extending therethrough and having a T-head portion I14 on one side and a spring and thumb nut connection I16 on the other side, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the cam lever 7 disc I82 keyed to a short cam shaft I84, and, by

a cooperating cam roller I86 carried by the lever I46. As herein shown, the cam operated lever I46 is pivotally mounted on a stud I88 fast in a supporting bracket I90 attached to the machine frame and the lever I46 is yieldingly urged up- The cam shaft I84 is journaled in a bearing member I92 secured to the machine frame and is arranged to be rotated in timed relation to the operation of the bag making machine by the gear 86 fast on the horizontal cam shaft and which is arranged to mesh with a similar ear I94 fast on the short cam shaft I84.

As herein illustrated, the cam operated lever I46 is arranged to be checked or limited in its upward movement for a predetermined number of successive cycles by a cam operated latch I96 arranged to engage a latch plate I98 attached to the lever I46. The latch I96 is carried by an arm 200 pivotally mounted on a stud 202 fast in the supporting bracket I90, and, is provided with a cam roller 204 arranged to cooperate with a cam 206 adjustably secured to a gear 208 loosely mounted on the cam shaft I84. The cam 206 is arranged to be rotated at a reduced speed to effect rocking of the arm 200 and release of the latch after a predetermined number of cycles to permit the lever I46 to he rocked through a relatively greater are thus operating the pawl and'ratchet drive toeffect movement of the carrier chain 32 a distance corresponding to the space between adjacent groups of pockets. As herein shown, this movement is effected by the provision of a train of speed reducing gears including a pinion 2 l fast on the cam shaft I84, a cooperating idler gear 2|2 loosely mounted on the stud I88, and a pinion 2M formed integrally with the gear H2 and arranged to mesh with the gear 203 to which the cam 2.06 is secured. The arm 280 is urged in a direction to cooperate with the cam 2135 by a spring 2l6.

In the operation of the illustrated apparatus, the carrier chain '32 is .advanced one pocket space by rotation of, the ratchet I32 a distance of one tooth, as indicated in Fig. .6 by the full line position of the pawl I42 and the lower dotted line position of the same. In the upper dotted line position of the pawl is herein shown as engaged to rotate the ratchet a distance of five teeth to effect advancement of the carrier chain a distance corresponding to the space between adjacent groups.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the present apparatus is capable of accumulating a predetermined number of successive bags, herein shown as eight, and, of segregating the bags into separated groups for the convenience of the packer who may withdraw successive groups as they are advanced along the conveyer and place them ina container for shipment. It will also be observed that the illustrated apparatus may be employed with advantage in the packing of tea bags, in accordance with the present standard practice, in containers of eight or in multiples of eight bags. However, the present apparatus may be adapted for. segregating the bags into groups of a different number by merely changing the carrier chain to provide the number of pockets desired and replacing the speed reducing train of gears 2B8, 2H), H2, H4 with a different set of gears to provide a corresponding control of the pawl and ratchet driving mechanism. While the preferred mechanism has been herein shown for effecting the foregoing results, other means may be employed for this purpose.

An important advantage of the present apparatus lies in the opportunity afforded the packer of inspecting the groups of bags to detect tears or other imperfections, the bags being spaced to enable inspection of the upper portions of the bags as they are advanced. In practice, the operator grasps the entire group by squeezing the upper or extended portions together to withdraw the bags from the pockets as a group.

' Since the tea or other commodity in the bags occupies the lower portion of each bag, when the bags are thus removed they are caused to spread apart or fan out radially so that the operator may inspect the lower half sections for any irregularities and replace those found defeotive before packing them in a container.

In the event that one or more bags is not with drawn from, the pockets by the operator provision is made for elevating the bags out of the pockets and for guiding the bags 01f the end of the conveyer from which they may drop into any suitable receptacle placed therebeneath, the bags being handled with minimum likelihood of damage thereto during the elevating and discharging movement. For this purpose, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the bags are arranged to ride up a pair of spaced curved rails 2H3, 220' as they approach the delivery endof'the conveyer, the rails 2 l 8, 22!] preferably being coextensive with the bottom supporting rails I02, Hi4 and being curved around the driving sprocket'bey-ond the ends of the pusher or carrier plates 35, as illustrated. Thus, in operation, the bags are removed from the pockets and discharged from the conveyer without interference from the pusher plates as they pass around the driving sprocket 33.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims,

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: r

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an endless conveyer having a plurality of bag-receiving pockets arranged in groups of equal number and with a substantial space between successive groups, means for transferring successive bags from a source of supply into successive pockets, and driving means for intermittently advancing said conveyer a distance of one pocket space each cycle of operation for a predetermined number of cycles corresponding to the number of pockets in a group, and for then advancing the conveyer a relatively greater distance corresponding to the space between said groups during one cycle, said driving means including a cyclically operated member, stop means for limiting the movement .Of said member to effect successive movements of one pocket space, and means for rendering said stop means inoperative during said one cycle.

2. segregating apparatus for segregating rectangular-shaped and substantially flat packages into spaced groups comprising an endless conveyer having a plurality of upstanding pocket-forming partitions arranged in groups of equal number and with a substantial space between successive groups, means for transferring successive packages from a supply into successive pockets, and driving means including a cyclically operated member, stop means for limiting the extent of movement of said member to eifect intermittent advancement of said conveyer a distance of one pocket space for a predetermined number of cycles corresponding to the number of pockets in a group, and means for periodically removing said stop to permit the conveyer to be advanced a relatively greater distance corresponding to the space between successive groups.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a conveyer comprising a chain having a plurality of upstanding parallel pusher plates defining bag-receiving pockets arranged to support the bags on edge in an upright position, said pockets being arranged in groups of equal number with a substantial space between successive groups, means for supporting the chain including a sprocket over which the chain runs, said plates being arranged to spread out radially in going around the sprocket to effect opening of the pockets, means for transferring successive bags from a supply into successive open pockets adjacent the upper run of the chain, said plates being arranged to close upon successive bags upon subsequent movement of the chain, and driving means including a cyclically operated member, stop means for limiting the movement of said member to effect intermittent advancement of the conveyer a distance of one pocket space for a predetermined number of cycles corresponding to the number of pockets in a group, and means for thereafter removing said stop to permit the conveyer to be advanced a relatively greater distance corresponding to the space between successive groups during one cycle.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, endles conveying means having a plurality of pockets arranged to receive successive bags, said pockets being arranged in groups and with a substantial space between successive groups, and driving means including a pawl and ratchet clutch, a cyclically operated rocker arm for operating said clutch, stop means for limiting the extent of movement of said arm to effect intermittent advancement of said conveyer a distance of one pocket space for a predetermined number of cycles corresponding to the number of pockets in a group, and means for thereafter removing said stop during one cycle to permit the conveyer to be advanced a relatively greater distance corresponding to the space between successive groups whereby to efiect segregation of the bags on the ccnveyer in spaced groups of equal number.

LEWIS B. EATON.

10 1 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

